kunoichi

I have an indoor recumbent exercise bike, and I'm doing pretty good on it, but my feet (specifically the balls and the front arch of the foot) hurts, and the side of my legs hurt. It's not my calf or my shin, it's right on the side of my leg that faces away from the bike. I'm sure it's something I'm doing wrong with posture but can't figure out what- ideas? TIA! (I've been riding the bike over a month now, just FYI).

spelger

i'm going to guess that you just need more time riding. but for your feet make sure your shoes have a stiff sole. beyond that i don't ride a recumbent so not sure if that has anything to do with it.

10 Wheels

How many minutes do you Pedal each time?

kunoichi

I ride 30, which I realize sounds like nothing but in January when I started riding it was 10- I've had some health issues and haven't been at all active. . But even then, it wasn't the cardiovascular endurance that got me to where I would stop at ten, it was the pain. It's the same now- if it wasn't for this pain I could fairly easily do 45 minutes. It's got less over time, that is definitely certain, or I couldn't have increased my time. OTOH, it doesn't feel like the regular "I'm just getting used to this exercise" level of pain either- I had some of that and that went away about a week or so after I started riding.

I've tried changing what part of my foot is coming in contact with the pedals; I try to make sure I don't toe out much (I tend to try to stand on the sides of my feet rather than the flat of the foot), and I've learned not to adjust foot position when pedaling or the leg will completely cramp up. Other then that, I don't know what to do.

10 Wheels

Can you walk without cramps.?

10 Wheels

Can you walk without cramps.? You only need about 1/3 of a cup.

kunoichi

I can walk without cramps, yes. And the pain instantly ceases on stopping pedaling.

unterhausen

Outside of thigh pain sound like sciatic nerve pain. I would search for stretches for sciatic nerve pain.

kunoichi

It's my lower legs, it's just on the side rather than the front of back of them (It's kind of a weird location to describe because I don't know exactly what to call it). It doesn't even really approach my knees- it stays pretty low.

dmanthree

Are your feet aligned properly? Not canted too much in or out? This is very odd.

kunoichi

I'm not entirely sure, and that's why I'm wondering if it's posture or position in some way. I feel like I start out with my feet straight on the pedals, the balls of my feet the main contact part, but as it goes on I find myself shifting around my foot to try to find a position that relieves the pain for a little bit. Sometimes pedaling with the arch helps, sometimes the heel, but it only provides a minute or so of relief. I try to make sure my feet aren't leaning to the outside, because that's a problem I have when walking, but I can't say that it's not happening when I'm riding.

Carbonfiberboy 

Stretching before and after. Do full range of motion one-legged calf raises on a stair. A fit rider can do 30 on each leg. Try to work up to that over a period of a few months Other weight bearing exercise like full depth squats with hamstrings touching calves, one legged squats on a chair, walking fast outdoors, uphill and down. Watch that your knees track right over your pedals, no side-to-side motion. Stiff soled, real cycling shoes. MTB shoes work well for indoor cycling. Other than these suggestions, it takes time. I doubt you're doing anything wrong, just aren't used to this exercise.

zandoval 

Wow... That's a good one. It could be the same mechanism found in Fat Wallet Syndrome or Piriformis Syndrome. It's nothing to laugh at and can lead to long term debility...